Whose Job is it Anyway? Educational Roles in Inclusion

Abstract

Qualitative research methods were used to investigate teachers' perceptions of their educational roles and collaborative teaching efforts in the inclusion of children with severe disabilities in general education classrooms of one school district. Individual interviews were conducted with three educational teams; each consisted of a general education teacher and a special education teacher of an included student. Results indicated that in the initial stages of inclusion, teachers maintained discrete role boundaries through a relatively clear, albeit informal, division of labor. As the school year progressed, role perceptions became less rigid as the teaming became more cooperative. Implications relate to special education reform and effective strategies to facilitate collaboration among teachers who work within and to promote inclusive environments.